Automatic loading device for pulley splitting machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for making grooved wheels includes a metal blank feeder and a forming mechanism for forming grooves in the metal blanks. The feeder includes a retaining means for retaining a supply of metal blanks and a mechanism for feeding the blanks from the supply into position so that the forming mechanism can work thereon. The forming mechanism includes tools which split the peripheral edge of the metal blank while the blank is being rotated. The feeding mechanism operates to eject a completed grooved wheel from the forming mechanism while positioning another metal blank to be formed in the forming mechanism.

United States Patent Pacak [4 1 June 27, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC LOADING DEVICE FOR PULLEY SPLITTING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Matthew Pacak, Solon, Ohio [73] Assignee: Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio [22 Filed: Jan. 22, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 4,932

[52] 11.8. C1. "72/71, 29/159 R, 72/82, 72/422 [51] Int. Cl. ..B21h 1/04 [58] Field of Search ..72/71, 80, 82, 422, 424; 113/113, 114; 29/159 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,370,447 2/ 1968 Skinner et a1 ..72/84 3,087,531 4/1963 Pacak ..72/7l 1,041,787 10/1912 Henry ..1l3/114 2,385,521 9/1945 Mead ..-...1l3/114 F ORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 523,310 3/1956 Canada ..72/422 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney-Yount and Tarolli [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for making grooved wheels includes a metal blank feeder and a forming mechanism for forming grooves in the metal blanks. The feeder includes a retaining means for retaining a supply of metal blanks and a mechanism for feeding the blanks from the supply into position so that the forming mechanism can work thereon. The forming mechanism includes tools which split the peripheral edge of the metal blank while the blank is being rotated. The feeding mechanism operates to eject a completed grooved wheel from the forming mechanism while positioning another metal blank to be formed in the forming mechanism.

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJum m2 3. 672. 195

sum u or 4 FIGS //VVE/V70/\ M4777/EW- PACAK 5y MCM ATTORNEYS AUTOMATIC LOADING DEVICE FOR PULLEY SPLI'I'IING MACHINE The present invention relates to an apparatus for. making groovedwheels or the like and, more specifically, to a blank feeding mechanism for feeding metal blanks to a forming mechanism which forms the metal blanks into grooved wheels.

Apparatuses for making grooved wheels from metal blanks are known. One such device is shown in Pacak US. Pat. No. 3,087,531, assigned'to the assignee of the present invention. This prior art patent discloses a rotatable workholder means for holding a metal blank and means for rotating the workholder and, consequently, the metal blank. Means is provided for moving a rotatably supported tool toward and away from the rotating metal blank. The tool is moved into contact with the peripheral edge of the metal blank, and then the metal blank is split as the tool moves farther inwardly through a peripheral portion ofthe' metal blank. When sufiicient splitting has occurred such that the groove has a sufficient depth, the tool is retracted and the grooved wheel removed from the forming mechanism.

The grooved wheels so formed may be used in various commercial applications, such as pulleys for transmitting torque from one shaft to the other. In this particular commercial application, one grooved wheel is secured to one shaft and a second grooved wheel is secured to a second shaft. A V-belt drivingly connects the grooved wheels to transmit torque from the one shaft to the other shaft.

. The forming apparatus of the above-noted type for forming grooved wheels has required hand feeding of the metal blank to the workholder. When blanks are hand fed into the forming mechanism, the production rate of the fonning mechanism is relatively low. The removal of the formed metal blank or grooved wheel can be extremely hazardous for the operator, since it may become stuck in the machine and require significant effort of the operator of the machine to remove the grooved wheel. Another factor creating a problem with handfed mechanisms is that the operator of the mechanism may accidentally trip the switch which starts the machine to form the metal blank into a grooved wheel and become injured thereby. On the other hand, it is also possible for the unformed metal blank to be improperly positioned in the machine and thus the fonning machine will produce an unusable grooved wheel creating a waste of machine time and material.

The immediate invention solves the above-noted problems by providing a feeder for automatically feeding, inserting, and positioning a metal blank in the forming mechanism when the forming mechanism completes formation of a previous metal blank into a grooved wheel. The feeding mechanism also ejects the previously formed metal blank or grooved wheel from the forming mechanism.

By automatically feeding, inserting, and positioning the metal blank in the forming mechanism, the production capabilities of the forming mechanism are maximized. This decreases the labor cost involved per part and thereby produces a grooved wheel at a lower cost. Since the feeder mechanically inserts and positions the metal blank in the forming mechanism, the placement of the blank is accurate and predictable and thereby allows the forming mechanism to produce grooved wheels of a consistent quality.

In addition to the afore-mentioned advantages, the danger of injury to the operator is substantially eliminated, since the operator need simply supply blanks to the feeder and remove the finished grooved wheels from adjacent the machine. Thus, the operator is not required to place himself in a dangerous position with respect to the forming apparatus.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for making grooved wheels or the like and which includes a feeder mechanism for feeding metal blanks into position relative to a forming mechanism which forms the blanks into the-grooved wheels, and wherein the disadvantages of low production, hazards to the operator, and inaccurate positioning, which, occur in known grooved wheel forming apparatuses which are handfed, are eliminated.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for making grooved wheels and wherein the apparatus includes a forming mechanism for forming a metal blank into a grooved wheel and a feeder mechanism is provided for feeding the metal blanks from a supply to the forming mechanism and which accurately positions the metal blank in the forming mechanism.

A still further object-of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for making grooved wheels and which includes a metal blank feeder and a forming mechanism for forming a groove in the blank and wherein the feeder automatically feeds metal blanks from a supply to a fonning position upon completion of the formation of a previous metal blank by the forming mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for making grooved wheels including a metal blank feeder anda forming mechanism for forming a groove in the periphery of the blank and wherein the feeder discharges the formed grooved wheel from the forming. mechanism upon complete formation thereof and while positioning a new blank in forming position.

Further objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the artto which it relates from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a blank feeder and a forming mechanism for forming the blank into grooved wheels;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the forming mechanism schematically shown in FIG. 1 showing the metal blank positioned therein prior to formation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the forming mechanism schematically shown in FIG. 1 showing the metal blank after formation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the feeder in a blank-receiving position;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the feeder shown in FIG. 4 and taken along lines 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the feeder shown in FIG. 4 and taken along the lines 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the feeder in a blank-receiving position; and f FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the feeder shown in FIG. 1 mov ing toward a second position.

The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically making grooved wheels or the like including a blank feeder and a forming mechanism for forming a groove in a metal blank fed into forming position. By mechanically feeding the metal blanks into the forming mechanism, the grooved wheels produced by the forming mechanism have a consistent quality since they are accurately and predictably placed in the forming mechanism. In addition, the danger of injury to the operator is substantially reduced by eliminating the requirement for manually inserting and positioning the blanks in the forming mechanism and removing the grooved wheels therefrom. The present invention may be embodied in apparatuses for making grooved wheels of a wide variety of constructions, and for purposes of illustration is described and il lustrated as embodied in an apparatus 10 for making grooved wheels, as shown schematically in FIG. 1.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention for making grooved wheels from metal blanks includes a blank feeder, generally indicated at 11, and a blank-forming mechanism, generally indicated at 14, for forming grooves in metal blanks. The feeder l2 automatically feeds a metal blank 16 into the forming mechanism 14 and discharges a previously fonned grooved wheel therefrom. The blank 16 is shown as being a disc-like sheet metal member having a central opening 48 and a generally circular outer peripheral portion 50.

The feeder 12 includes a retaining means 18 having a plurality of metal blanks 16 positioned therein. The feeder I2 also includes a feed carrier 20 having a first position for receiving a metal blank 16 from the retaining means 18 and a second position where the metal blank 16 is inserted and positioned in the forming mechanism 14. A drive means 22 is pro vided to drivingly connect a power device 24 to the feed carrier in either direction, as indicated by the arrows 26, so that the feed carrier 20 may be moved from the first position to the second position in a feed stroke for inserting and positioning the metal blank in the forming mechanism or from the second position to the first position in a return stroke.

The forming mechanism 14 may be of a wide variety of constructions and designs and for simplicity of description only one type of forming mechanism 14 is shown in the drawings. The forming mechanism 14 includes a rotatable workholder 28 positioned to receive a metal blank 16 from the feed carrier 20 when the feed carrier is in the second position. Defonning means 20 including a tool means 36 is provided to deform the metal blank 16 when in a material-deforming position. Means 32 are provided for moving the tool means 36 therefrom upon formation of a groove in the outer periphery of the metal blank 16.

The forming apparatus 14 corresponds with that shown in Pacak U.S. Pat. No. 3, l 87,531 and the disclosure therein is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, a complete description of the forming mechanism will not be made herein. In essence, the tool means 36 of the forming mechanism 14 includes a splitting tool 36a and a groove-forming tool 36b which are located diametrically opposite each other. The splitting tool 36a has a peripheral splitting edge which, when it engages and moves into a rotating blank, effects splitting or the formation of a groove in the periphery of the blank. The groove-forming tool 36b has a rounded edge thereon which moves into the groove formed by the splitting tool 36a and it shapes the bottom of the groove and, in particular, rounds the bottom of the groove. Suitable hydraulic motors are associated with the splitting tool 36a and the forming tool 36b to effect movement thereof toward the blank carried in the workholder 28 and to effect retraction of the tools from the finished workpiece.

An actuating means, generally indicated at 34, is provided to actuate the power device 24 of the feeder 12 for moving the feed carrier 20 from the first position where the feed carrier 20 receives a metal blank 16 to a second position to insert and position the blank 16 in the rotatable workholder 28. When the rotatable workholder 28 receives the metal blank 16 from the feed carrier 20, the actuating means 34 actuates the power device 24 of the feeder 12 to move the feed carrier 20 from the second position to the first position to receive another metal blank 16 from the retaining means 18.

When the blank 16 is located in forming position, the forming mechanism 14 operates to move the tool 36 into a material deforming position whereby a groove is formed in the blank 16. Upon formation of the groove in the blank 16, the tool 36 moves from the material-deforming position to a retracted position.

The actuating means actuates the power device 24 of the feeder 12 to move the feed carrier 20 from the first or blankreceiving position to the second position to discharge the grooved wheel formed by the previous metal blank and insert and position another metal blank therein. The discharge of the previously formed metal blank is eflected by pushing the formed metal blank from the rotatable workholder and allowing the grooved wheel formed thereby to be discharged from the forming mechanism 14. As the feed carrier 20 continues to move into the second position, the metal blank is consequently positioned with respect to the rotatable workholder means.

The feeder 12, schematically shown in FIG. 1, is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4-6. The feeder 12, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a support 40. A base member 42 of the retaining means 18 for retaining a plurality of metal blanks is secured to the support 40. The base 42 has an opening 43 therein for allowing blanks to pass therethrough. The retaining means 18 also includes arms 44 adjustably secured to the base 42 by fasteners 46 for guiding the blanks through opening 43 to the feed carrier 20. The fasteners 46 are threadedly engaged by complementary threaded openings in the base 42. The arms 44 includes portions 52 extending through the opening 43 of the base 42 so as to align a plurality of blanks so that the blanks move through a central portion of the opening 43 in the base 42. The portions 52 of the arms 44 extend through the opening 43 in the base 42 to maintain a plurality of blanks in alignment.

The arms 44 may be adjusted to accommodate blanks of various sizes. This adjustment is effected by loosening the fasteners 46 and moving the arms 44 toward or away from each other an equal distance. The opening 43 in the base 42 is sufficiently large to allow a range of blank sizes to pass therethrough w'hile accommodating the portions 52 of the arms 44.

Once the arms 44 are properly positioned for the blank size, so as to allow the blank 16 to move through a central portion of the opening 43 in the base 42, the fasteners 46 are tightened to lock the arms 44 into position with respect to the base 42. The blanks in the retaining means 18 are supported by the feed carrier 20 of the feeder 12. When the feed carrier 20 is in one position or a blank-receiving position, as shown in FIG. 7, the metal blank 16 is received by an indentation 54in the feed carrier 20.

As seen in FIG. 6, the indentation 54. has a geometric configuration corresponding to the peripheral edge 50 of blank 16 and is located in a retaining member 56. The indentation 54 has a hollow central portion and defines a blank-supporting surface 58. The blank-supporting surface 58 supports the blank 16 as it is received by the indentation 54 when the feed carrier 20 is in the blank-receiving position as shown in FIG. 7.

Blank-retaining means 60 are provided, as shown in FIG. 6, to retain the blank in the indentation 54 and on the blank-supporting surface 58 as the feed carrier 20 moves from one position to a second position so as to allow the blank 16 to be received by the rotatable workholder 28 of the forming mechanism 14. The blank-retaining means60 includes arms 62 secured to the retaining member 56. The arms 62 have supporting surfaces 64-for supporting the metalblank 16 as it is received from the retaining means 18. The arms 62 are positioned so that when the metal blank 16 is supported by the supporting surface 64, as shown in FIG. 6, the arms restrict movement of the blank 16 in a direction indicated by the arrow 63. This provides a secure mounting of the blank 16 with respect to the feed carrier 20 as the blank 16 moves from the first position to the second position. When the rotatable workholder 28 of the forming mechanism 14 grips the blank 16 and the feed carrier 20 is moved from the second position to the first position, the arms 62, which are biased toward the blank 16, move to a position, generally indicated by the dotted lines 65 in FIG. 6. Such a blank retaining means 60 allows the blank 16 to remain positioned with respect to the rotatable workholder 28 and yet provides sufficient securement of a new metal blank 16 to the retaining means 60 when the previously formed metal blank is discharged from the forming mechanism 14. The arms 62 return to a blank-receiving position, as shown in FIG. 6, as the feed carrier moves from the second to the first position.

The feed carrier 20 also includes a member 64, as shown in FIG. 5, to which the member 56 is attached by threaded fasteners 66. The member 64 of the feed carrier 20 is slidably mounted with respect to the support 40. A mounting block 68 is secured to the support 40 and gib blocks 70 are secured to the mounting block 68 to provide a channel for supporting the slidable member 64. Thus, the feed carrier 20 is movable from a first position, as shown in FIG. 7, in which the feed carrier 20 receives a blank from the retaining means 18 to a second position, as shown in FIG. 4, where the metal blank is positioned on the rotatable workholder 28 of the forming mechanism 14. As the blank moves from the first position to the second posi tion, it discharges the previously formed metal blank from the rotatable workholder.

The drive means 22 is connected to the feed carrier to move the feed carrier 20 between the first and second positions and is driven by the power device 24. The drive means 22 includes a rack 76, as seen in FIG. 5, secured to the member 64 of the feed carrier 20 by means of fasteners 78. A pinion gear 80 is also included in the drive means 22 for drivingly connecting the power device 24 with rack 76. It should be understood that the power device 24, as shown in the present embodiment, is a hydraulic motor but maybe of a number of various types which will rotate the pinion 80 in either direction.

The fluid pressurized by a pump 82, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, flows through a valve 84 to provide power to the actuator 24. The valve 84 has three positions. The normal position allows the pressurized fluid from the pump 82 to return to a reservoir 86, thereby allowing the feed carrier 20 to remain in a neutral position. The valve 84 is provided with solenoids 88, 90 which move and position the valve 84 into the two other positions to effect movement of the feed carrier 20 in either direction, as indicated by the arrows 26.

The rotatable workholder 28 of the forming mechanism 14 includes an upper portion 92 which moves in the direction indicated by the arrows 94 with respect to the lower portion 96 of the rotatable workholder. The upper portion 92 of the rotatable workholder 28 has a suitable switch actuator illustrated as a pin 98 thereon. When the upper portion 92 moves in an upward direction, the pin 98 actuates a switch 100. The switch 100, in turn, actuates the solenoid 90 which positions the valve 84 so that fluid is supplied from the pump 82 to the motor 24 so that the motor 24 effects operation of the drive means 22 to move the feed carrier 20 toward the rotatable workholder 28.

As the feed carrier 20 so moves, the blank 16 carried thereby contacts a previously formed blank resting on the lower portion 96 of the rotatable workholder 28. As shown in FIG. 8, this movement of the blank 16 discharges the previously formed blank from the rotatable workholder 28. A trough 102 is provided to receive the discharged formed blank and conduct the formed blank to a container generally indicated at 104.

The feed carrier 20 continues to move the blank 16 until the blank 16 is properly positioned with respect to the rotatable workholder 28. Throughout this movement from the first position to the second position, the blank 16 is retained with respect to the feed carrier 20 by the blank-retaining means 60.

A suitable switch trip in the form of a pin 106, as shown in FIG. 1, is secured to the feed carrier 20 and is positioned such that a switch 108 is actuated thereby when the blank is properly positioned with respect to the rotatable workholder 28. The switch 108 deactivates the solenoid 90 which removes the pump 82 from fluid communication with the motor 24 and returns the valve 84 to a neutral position where the pressurized fluid is returned to the tank, as schematically shown at 86. The switch 108 also activates the circuitry of the forming mechanism 14, generally indicated at 110. The circuitry 110 activates the upper portion 92 of the rotatable workholder 28 to move in a downward direction.

The upper portion 92 of the rotatable workholder 28 has a positioning pin 112 centrally located therein having an outer diameter equal to or less than the opening 48 in the blank 16. The end of the pin 112 has a tapered portion 114 which centers the blank 16, shown in FIG. 2, if the blank 16 is not precisely positioned over the lower portion 96 of the rotatable workholder 28. Thus, the upper portion 92 of the rotatable workholder 28 clamps the blank 16 to the lower portion 96 of the rotatable workholder 28.

When the upper portion 92 of the rotatable workholder reaches such a clamping position, the trip 98 actuates the switch 116. The switch 116, in turn, actuates the solenoid 88 to move the valve 84 to a position such that pressurized fluid is supplied from the pump 82 to the motor 24 to retract the feed carrier 20 to the first or blank-receiving position. As the feed carrier 20 retracts from the second position to the first position, the arms 62 of the blank-retaining means 60 expand or flex to a position shown at 65 in FIG. 6. This allows the blank 16 to remain in position with respect to the rotatable workholder 28, and the feed carrier 20 returns to the first position. When the feed carrier 20 has retracted a sufficient distance, the arms 62 return to their blank-receiving position due to their bias toward this position. It should be understood that the flexing of the arms 62 does not distort the arms 62 past the elastic limit of the material from which the arms 62 are manufactured.

When the feed carrier reaches the first or blank-receiving position, the trip 106 activates the switch 118 to deactivate the solenoid 88 and position the valve 84 such that the pressurized fluid from the pump 82 returns to the tank 86. The circuitry 1 10 of the forming mechanism 14 sequentially activates the rotation of the rotatable workholder 28 and the means 32 for moving the tools 36. As the tools 36 move toward the blank, they contact the peripheral edge of the blank 16 to split the blank 16, as shown in FIG. 3, and form a groove 120 therein. The circuitry 110 then activates the means 32 for moving the tools 36 to a retracted position and stops rotation of the rotatable workholder 28 whereupon the upper portion 92 of the rotatable workholder 28 is retracted to an upper position. When the upperportion 92 of the rotatable workholder 28 reaches the retracted position, the trip 98 activates the switch 100 to recycle the apparatus 10.

It should be understood that the circuitry hereinabove described has many equivalents in the hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical fields and the afore-mentioned description should not be construed as being restricted to the particular system hereinabove set forth. Thus, it can be understood that the apparatus 10, hereinabove described, operates automatically to form grooved wheels from metal blanks. By cycling the machine as described, the speed of the forming mechanism 14 is significantly increased. In addition, the accuracy and predictability of the placement of the blank is also more determinable. Thus, the apparatus 10 of the present invention produces grooved wheels from metal blanks economically with a desired quality and uniformity thereof. Danger of injury to the operator is significantly decreased, since the operator need only maintain a supply of blanks in the retaining means 18 and remove grooved wheels from the container 104 and supply another container therefor.

It is apparent from the above that the present invention provides an apparatus 10 for making grooved wheels including a feeder l2 and a forming mechanism 14 for forming metal blanks 16 into grooved wheels. The feeder 12 has a retaining means 18 for retaining a plurality of metal blanks therein and a feed carrier 20 having a first position for receiving the metal blanks from the retaining means 18 and a second position. A drive means 22 is also included in the feeder 12 for drivingly connecting a motor 24 to the feed carrier 20 so that the feed carrier 20 may be driven between the afore-mentioned positions. The forming mechanism 14 includes a rotatable workholder 28 positioned to receive a metal blank 16 from the feed carrier 20 of the feeder 12 when the feed carrier 20 is in the second position. At least one deforming means 30 is provided in the forming mechanism 14 for forming grooves in the metal blanks. The deforming means 30 forms such grooves in the metal blanks when in a material-deforming position. Means-32 are provided for moving the deforming means from a retracted position a material-deforming position. Actuating means are provided for actuating the motor 24 of the feeder 12 to move the carrier 20 from the first position to the second position and for actuating the motor 24 to more the feed carrier 20 from the second position to the first position when the rotatable workholder 28 receives a metal blank 16 from the feed carrier 20. The actuating means also actuates the drive means of the one deforming means for moving the deforming means 30 from the retracted position to the material-deformformation of a grooved wheel. The actuating means subsequently actuates the motor 24 to move the feed carrier from the first position to the second position when the deforming means 30 is in a retracted position and the rotatable workholder allows the grooved wheel positioned therein to be discharged therefrom.

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. An apparatus for making grooved wheels from metal blanks comprising:

rotatable workholder means for supporting a disc-shaped metal blank having an outer peripheral edge in a forming position, said workholder means including an axially fixed and an axially movable portion, said portions in a loading position being axially separated as a blank is inserted and in a forming position being axially moved together to clamp said blank therebetween; tool means for splitting the peripheral edge of the metal blank while the metal blank is in said forming position to form a groove therein, said tool means comprising at least a pair of tools which are positioned at substantially diametrically opposed locations relative to said workholder means; retaining means for retaining a supply of metal disc-shaped blanks adjacent said workholder means, said retaining means including a base member having an opening therein for allowing the metal blanks to pass therethrough and a plurality of arms adjustably secured to said base to maintain said metal blanks in alignment with said openmg; blank feeding means for feeding a blank from the supply to the workholder means, said blank while moving to the workholder means operable to eject a completed grooved wheel therefrom, said blank feeding means including a feed carrier movable from a retracted position below said opening to receive a blank therefrom to a feeding position for loading a blank and ejecting a completed grooved wheel, said feed carrier being movable generally perpendicular to a line intersection said pair of tools; said feed carrier including a pair of flexible fingers which align with said opening to receive a blank when said feed carrier is in the retracted position, said fingers retaining the blank in said feed carrier as said carrier is moved from retracted to feeding position and flexing outwardly to release the clamped blank as the carrier is moved from the feeding to retracted position,

a reversible fluid motor operably connected to said blank feeding means for moving said feed carrier to and from its retracted and feeding positions, said motor being controlled by a solenoid actuated fluid directional control valve; and

circuit means for providing signals to said solenoid actuated valve, said circuit means sensing workholder loading and forming positions and feed carrier retracted and feeding positions, said circuit means in cooperation with said valve operable to:

asmove said feed carrier from retracted to feeding position as said axially movable workholder portion moves axially apart from said fixed workholder portion into loading position; and

b. move said feed carrier from feeding to retracted position when said axially movable workholder portion has moved into forming position and has clamped said blank. 

1. An apparatus for making grooved wheels from metal blanks comprising: rotatable workholder means for supporting a disc-shaped metal blank having an outer peripheral edge in a forming position, said workholder means including an axially fixed and an axially movable portion, said portions in a loading position being axially separated as a blank is inserted and in a forming position being axially moved together to clamp said blank therebetween; tool means for splitting the peripheral edge of the metal blank while the metal blank is in said forming position to form a groove therein, said tool means comprising at least a pair of tools which are positioned at substantially diametrically opposed locations relative to said workholder means; retaining means for retaining a supply of metal disc-shaped blanks adjacent said workholder means, said retaining means including a base member having an opening therein for allowing the metal blanks to pass therethrough and a plurality of arms adjustably secured to said base to maintain said metal blanks in alignment with said opening; blank feeding means for feeding a blank from the supply to the workholder means, said blank while moving to the workholder means operable to eject a complEted grooved wheel therefrom, said blank feeding means including a feed carrier movable from a retracted position below said opening to receive a blank therefrom to a feeding position for loading a blank and ejecting a completed grooved wheel, said feed carrier being movable generally perpendicular to a line intersection said pair of tools; said feed carrier including a pair of flexible fingers which align with said opening to receive a blank when said feed carrier is in the retracted position, said fingers retaining the blank in said feed carrier as said carrier is moved from retracted to feeding position and flexing outwardly to release the clamped blank as the carrier is moved from the feeding to retracted position, a reversible fluid motor operably connected to said blank feeding means for moving said feed carrier to and from its retracted and feeding positions, said motor being controlled by a solenoid actuated fluid directional control valve; and circuit means for providing signals tO said solenoid actuated valve, said circuit means sensing workholder loading and forming positions and feed carrier retracted and feeding positions, said circuit means in cooperation with said valve operable to: a. move said feed carrier from retracted to feeding position as said axially movable workholder portion moves axially apart from said fixed workholder portion into loading position; and b. move said feed carrier from feeding to retracted position when said axially movable workholder portion has moved into forming position and has clamped said blank. 